Kalanchoe plant named &#39;Cassandra&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe named Cassandra is provided. This new cultivar is characterized by its bright red flowers, dark green foliage, compact growth habit and excellent basal branching.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES OF PLANT CLAIMED

[0001]Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

VARIETY DENOMINATION

[0002] Cassandra

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct Kalanchoeplant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Cassandra’.

[0004] The new cultivar was developed by the inventor through acontrolled breeding program during August 1997 in The Netherlands. Thefemale (seed) parent of ‘Cassandra’ was the proprietary Kalanchoeblossfeldiana selection designated 93226-14 (not patented),characterized by its red flowers and good branching habit. The male(pollen) parent of ‘Cassandra’ was the proprietary Kalanchoeblossfeldiana selection designated 95012 (not patented), characterizedby its red-orange flowers and dark green foliage. ‘Cassandra’ wasdiscovered and selected as a flowering plant within the progeny of thestated cross by the inventor in June 1998.

[0005] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings hasdemonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar as hereindescribed are firmly fixed and retained through successive generationsof such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

[0007] (a) exhibits bright red flowers,

[0008] (b) forms dark green foliage,

[0009] (c) exhibits a good basal branching character and

[0010] (d) exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

[0011] The new cultivar of the present invention can be compared to‘Arjuno’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,485). In side by side comparisons with‘Arjuno’, it is found that the new cultivar is more compact and hasfewer flowers. A detailed comparison can be found in Table A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

[0012] The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of thistype, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar.The plants were grown in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0013] The cultivar ‘Cassandra’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is. possible that thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such astemperature, light intensity, and day length.

[0014] The chart used in the identification of colors described hereinis the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England. The color values were determined on Jan. 4, 2001 between 9:00and 9:30 am under natural daylight. The plants used for the followingobservations and measurements were produced from cuttings taken fromstock plants and grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 10 cm pots for sixteen(16) weeks. Plants were grown in a double poly carbonate coveredgreenhouse under conditions comparable to those used in commercialpractice while utilizing a soilless growth medium and maintainingtemperatures of approximately 82° F. during the day and approximately66° F. during the night. Plants were exposed to three weeks of long daysfollowed by 9 weeks of short days. Growth regulators were applied asfollows: B nine, 3000 ppm at days 17 and 28 and 1500 ppm day 42.

[0015] Classification:

[0016]Botanical.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, cultivar Cassandra.

[0017] Parantage:

[0018]Male (pollen)parent.—Proprietary Kalanchoe blossfeldiana selection#95012.

[0019]Female (seed)parent.—Proprietary Kalanchoe blossfeldiana selection#93226-14.

[0020] Propagation:

[0021]Type cutting.—Terminal tip.

[0022]Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7-14 days with the shortertimes generally being experienced in the summer and the longer times inthe winter.

[0023]Time to develop roots.—Approximately 21 days.

[0024]Root description.—Fibrous, branching.

[0025] Plant description:

[0026]Habit of growth.—Moderately vigorous with good basal branching. Amature plant, at 16 weeks after the planting of an unrooted cutting,commonly measures approximately 11 cm in height and approximately 15.4cm in width.

[0027]Branching habit.—Typically forms one main stem 8 cm in length and7 mm in diameter and 12 lateral branches approximately 5.6 cm in lengthand 3 mm in diameter.

[0028]Plant form.—Upright and mounded.

[0029]Foliage.—Form: Simple. Arrangement: Opposite. Shape: Ovate, withobtuse apex, attenuate base and crenate margin. Texture: Glabrous,succulent. Size of mature foliage: Approximately 7.8 cm in length andapproximately 5.5 cm in width. Color of mature foliage: Upper surfaceclosest to 147A lower surface between 147A and 147B. Petiole length:Approximately 9 mm. Petiole color: 144A.

[0030] Flower description:

[0031]Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.

[0032]Natural flowering season.—Early January. Flowering time isdependent on temperature, light intensity and other growing conditions.

[0033]Flowering response time.—Approximately 10 weeks.

[0034]Inflorescence type.—Dichasial cymes.

[0035]Flowers borne.—Above foliage.

[0036]Flower longevity.—Approximately 7 days.

[0037]Fragrance.—None.

[0038]Quantity of flowers.—Approximately 10 flowers on main stem and 8flowers on each lateral branch.

[0039]Flower buds.—Shape: Elliptical, becoming elongated as it matures.Size just before opening: Length is approximately 8 mm, width isapproximately 3 mm. Color: 39A.

[0040]Flower.—Salverform. Corolla: Diameter is approximately 1.9 cm,depth is approximately 6 mm and aspect is flat. Corolla tube isapproximately 1.1 cm in length and 3 mm in diameter.

[0041]Petals.—Number: Average of 5. Shape: Ovate with cuspidate apex,rounded base. Approximate size: 9 mm in length, 6 mm in width. Aspect:Slightly convex. Texture: Glabrous. Appearance: Somewhat iridescent.

[0042]Mature flower color.—Upper surface of petals is closest to 45Bfading to between 53C and 53D at senescence; lower surface of petals isclosest to 45D with overlay of 37C.

[0043]Sepals.—Number: Average of 5. Shape: Lanceolate with acute apex,entire margin. Size: 7 mm in length, 1 mm in width. Texture: Smooth.Color: Upper and lower surface: 144B.

[0044]Peduncle.—Approximately 2.7 cm in length and 4 mm in diameter.

[0045]Pedicel length.—Approximately 5 mm.

[0046]Reproductive organs.—Androecium: 8 stamens arranged in two groupsof four — one group being shorter than the other. Anther shape is oblongand flat, length is approximately <1 mm. Pollen color is 6C. Gynoecium:Stigma shape is flat, appearance is crystalline, colorless andtransparent. Style length is approximately 4 mm, color is 151D. Ovary is4 celled, 7 mm in length. Color is Between 144A and 144B.

[0047] Seed development: Seed development has not been observed.

[0048] Disease resistance: Resistance to known Kalanchoe pathogens hasnot been observed.

[0049] TABLE A CHARACTERISTIC ‘CASSANDRA’ ‘ARJUNO’ PLANT HEIGHT  11 cm 14 cm NUMBER OF BRANCHES  12  14 APPROXIMATE NUMBERS OF 100 200 FLOWERSPER PLANT

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named‘Cassandra’ substantially as herein shown and described, which: (a)exhibits bright red flowers, (b) forms dark green foliage, (c) exhibitsa good basal branching character and (d) exhibits a compact uprightgrowth habit.